Nurturing the Heart and Mind, Grades 3-5: 60 Content-Area Lessons Using the Five-Pursuits Framework

From the best-selling author of Cultivating Genius and Unearthing Joy comes a powerful new resource rooted in the Five Pursuits instructional framework. Learn directly from Dr. Gholdy Muhammad what drives this work and how it can transform your instruction.

"This book contains sixty pick-up-and-go, discussion-based lessons that help you spread genius and joy across the content areas―in English language arts, social studies, STEM, and arts & culture. The lessons are designed to be taught in 40 minutes or less, wherever learning happens, whether it be in the classroom, the home, or community spaces. They can be delivered by anyone with a heart to nurture and engage children, which may include teachers, paraprofessionals, parents, caregivers, leaders, afterschool coordinators, and community advocates.

Centered on culturally and historically responsive education, the lessons fuel pursuit-driven learning; students focus on topics through the lenses of identity, skills, intellect, criticality, and joy. A rich collection of meaningful topics and texts build background knowledge and spark discussions that move genius and joy into action.

Thank you for considering Nurturing the Heart and Mind."

- Dr. Gholdy Muhammad

Educator Takeaways:

• Each Pursuit-Driven-Lesson contains a focus text, built-in background knowledge, and discussion prompts―so educators can deliver meaningful, high-impact instruction in 20-40 minutes without additional prep.
• Brings the Five Pursuits Framework to Life by seamlessly infusing identity, skills, intellect, criticality, and joy into everyday teaching. Empower educators with a powerful, flexible model for culturally and historically responsive instruction.
• Pursuit-Driven-Lessons are inspired by and designed for educators, with contributions from paraprofessionals, afterschool staff, caregivers, and community educators across content areas to spark engagement, connection, and joy.
• Includes a companion website with focus texts, classroom videos, model lessons, and tools for designing and assessing your own lessons.

Author: Gholdy Muhammad
Publisher: Scholastic Professional
Published: 04/21/2026
Pages: 208
Binding Type: Spiral
Weight: 1.35lbs
Size: 10.85h x 8.63w x 0.42d
ISBN: 9781546151432

About the Author
Dr. Gholdy Muhammad is the John Corbally Endowed Professor of Literacy, Language, and Culture at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has previously served as a classroom teacher, literacy specialist, school district administrator, curriculum director, and school board president. She studies Black historical excellence in education, intending to reframe curriculum and instruction today. Dr. Muhammad's scholarship has appeared in leading academic journals and books. She has also received numerous national awards and is the author of the best-selling books Cultivating Genius and Unearthing Joy. She also co-authored the book Black Girls' Literacies. Her Culturally and Historically Responsive Education Model has been adopted across thousands of U.S. schools and districts across Canada. In 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, she was named among the top 1% Edu-Scholar Public Influencers due to her impact on policy and practice. She has led a federal grant with the United States Department of Education to study culturally and historically responsive literacy in STEM classrooms. In the fall of 2026, her first curriculum, entitled Genius and Joy, will be available to schools and educators.